Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising: obtaining, by an audio decoder of a playback equipment, an encoded bitstream generated by an audio encoding system; extracting, from the encoded bitstream by the audio decoder, an audio signal; extracting, from the encoded bitstream by the audio decoder, a first set of dynamic range control (DRC) values configured for controlling a dynamic range of the audio signal during playback by the playback equipment, wherein the first set of DRC values are generated and encoded into the encoded bitstream by the audio encoding system; extracting, from the encoded bitstream, a second set of DRC values configured for preventing the audio signal from clipping during playback by the playback equipment, wherein the second set of DRC values are generated and encoded into the encoded bitstream by the audio encoding system, wherein each DRC value in the second set of DRC values represents a clipping protection gain indicating an attenuation to be applied to a corresponding frame of the audio signal to prevent clipping; extracting, from the encoded bitstream, first metadata indicating how to apply the first and second sets of DRC values to the audio signal; interpolating one or more DRC values from the first and second sets of DRC values to generate interpolated DRC values; applying the interpolated DRC values to the audio signal during playback by the playback equipment according to the first metadata; and rendering the audio signal with the playback equipment.
This invention relates to audio decoding and dynamic range control (DRC) in playback systems. The problem addressed is ensuring optimal audio quality during playback by preventing clipping while maintaining dynamic range control. The method involves an audio decoder in playback equipment processing an encoded bitstream generated by an audio encoding system. The decoder extracts an audio signal and two sets of DRC values from the bitstream. The first set of DRC values controls the dynamic range of the audio signal during playback, while the second set prevents clipping by applying attenuation to specific frames of the audio signal. Each value in the second set represents a clipping protection gain to avoid distortion. The bitstream also includes metadata specifying how to apply these DRC values. The decoder interpolates DRC values from both sets to generate interpolated values, which are then applied to the audio signal during playback according to the metadata. The processed audio signal is rendered by the playback equipment, ensuring balanced dynamic range and clipping protection. This approach enhances audio quality by dynamically adjusting gain to prevent distortion while preserving the intended dynamic range.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the audio signal is a m-channel downmix audio signal, the method further comprises: applying the second set of DRC values to the m-channel downmix audio signal; extracting, from the encoded bitstream, spatial metadata; and upmixing the m-channel downmix audio signal into an n-channel audio signal using the spatial metadata, where m and n are positive integers and m is less than n.
This invention relates to dynamic range control (DRC) processing of multi-channel audio signals, specifically for downmix audio signals. The problem addressed is the need to apply dynamic range adjustments to a compressed multi-channel audio signal while preserving spatial audio information during playback. The method processes an m-channel downmix audio signal, where m is a smaller number of channels than the original n-channel audio signal. First, a second set of DRC values is applied to the downmix signal to adjust its dynamic range. Then, spatial metadata is extracted from the encoded bitstream, which contains information about the original spatial characteristics of the audio. Using this metadata, the m-channel downmix signal is upmixed into an n-channel audio signal, restoring the original spatial audio experience while maintaining the applied dynamic range adjustments. The process ensures that the audio remains spatially accurate after DRC processing, improving playback quality for multi-channel audio systems. The method is particularly useful in audio encoding/decoding systems where dynamic range adjustments are applied to compressed audio signals before spatial reconstruction.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of DRC values are configured to dynamically compress the audio signal.
Audio signal processing systems often struggle with efficiently compressing audio signals while maintaining high quality. Existing methods may lack adaptability to varying audio characteristics, leading to suboptimal compression performance. This invention addresses this problem by dynamically adjusting a set of design rule check (DRC) values to compress an audio signal. The DRC values are configured to adaptively modify the audio signal's dynamic range, ensuring optimal compression based on real-time audio analysis. The system first processes the audio signal to extract relevant features, such as amplitude, frequency, and temporal characteristics. These features are then used to determine the appropriate DRC values, which are applied to the audio signal to achieve the desired compression. The dynamic adjustment of DRC values allows the system to handle different types of audio content, such as speech, music, or environmental sounds, with improved efficiency and quality. The method ensures that the compressed audio signal retains its perceptual quality while reducing file size or bandwidth requirements. This approach enhances audio processing in applications like streaming, broadcasting, and storage systems.
4. An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: obtaining, by an audio decoder of a playback equipment, an encoded bitstream generated by an audio encoding system; extracting, from the encoded bitstream by the audio decoder, an audio signal; extracting, from the encoded bitstream by the audio decoder, a first set of dynamic range control (DRC) values configured for controlling a dynamic range of the audio signal during playback by the playback equipment, wherein the first set of DRC values are generated and encoded into the encoded bitstream by the audio encoding system; extracting, from the encoded bitstream, a second set of DRC values configured for preventing the audio signal from clipping during playback by the playback equipment, wherein the second set of DRC values are generated and encoded into the encoded bitstream by the audio encoding system, wherein each DRC value in the second set of DRC values represents a clipping protection gain indicating an attenuation to be applied to a corresponding frame of the audio signal to prevent clipping; extracting, from the encoded bitstream, first metadata indicating how to apply the first and second sets of DRC values to the audio signal; and interpolating one or more DRC values from the first and second sets of DRC values to generate interpolated DRC values; applying the interpolated DRC values to the audio signal during playback by the playback equipment according to the first metadata; rendering the audio signal with the playback equipment.
Audio processing systems often struggle to maintain optimal dynamic range and prevent clipping during playback, especially when audio signals are encoded and decoded. This invention addresses these issues by embedding dynamic range control (DRC) values directly into an encoded audio bitstream, ensuring consistent playback quality. The system includes an audio decoder that extracts an audio signal and two sets of DRC values from the bitstream. The first set controls the dynamic range of the audio signal, while the second set prevents clipping by applying attenuation to specific frames. The decoder also retrieves metadata that specifies how to apply these DRC values. The system interpolates DRC values as needed and applies them to the audio signal during playback, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing distortion. The playback equipment then renders the processed audio signal, maintaining both dynamic range and clipping protection. This approach integrates DRC into the encoding and decoding process, improving audio quality without requiring external adjustments.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the audio signal is a m-channel downmix audio signal, the operations further comprising: applying the second set of DRC values to the m-channel downmix audio signal; extracting, from the encoded bitstream, spatial metadata; and upmixing the m-channel downmix audio signal into an n-channel audio signal using the spatial metadata, where m and n are positive integers and m is less than n.
This invention relates to audio signal processing, specifically dynamic range control (DRC) in multi-channel audio systems. The problem addressed is the need to apply DRC to a downmixed audio signal while preserving spatial audio information for subsequent upmixing to a higher channel count. The apparatus processes an m-channel downmix audio signal, where m is a smaller number of channels than the original n-channel audio signal. The system applies a second set of DRC values to the downmixed signal, adjusting its dynamic range while maintaining compatibility with spatial audio encoding. Spatial metadata, which encodes spatial cues for upmixing, is extracted from an encoded bitstream. The downmixed signal is then upmixed into an n-channel audio signal using the spatial metadata, reconstructing the original spatial audio experience. This ensures that DRC adjustments do not degrade the spatial audio quality when the signal is expanded to a higher channel count. The invention is particularly useful in audio systems where storage or transmission bandwidth is limited, requiring downmixing before playback or further processing.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first set of DRC values are configured to dynamically compress the audio signal.
The invention relates to audio signal processing, specifically dynamic range compression (DRC) in audio apparatus. The problem addressed is the need for adaptive audio compression to improve sound quality while maintaining dynamic range. The apparatus includes a dynamic range compressor that processes an audio signal using a first set of DRC values to dynamically adjust the signal's amplitude. These DRC values are configured to automatically modify the compression characteristics in real-time based on the input signal's properties, ensuring optimal audio quality across different listening environments and content types. The apparatus may also include additional components such as an input interface for receiving the audio signal, a processor for applying the DRC values, and an output interface for delivering the processed signal. The dynamic compression helps prevent distortion and clipping while preserving the natural dynamics of the audio. The system can be integrated into audio playback devices, recording equipment, or broadcast systems to enhance audio fidelity. The invention improves upon traditional static compression methods by adapting to varying audio conditions, providing a more balanced and controlled output.
7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a sequence of instructions, wherein, when executed by one or more processors, the sequence of instructions causes the one or more processors to perform the method of claim 1 .
A system and method for optimizing data processing in a distributed computing environment addresses inefficiencies in task scheduling and resource allocation. The technology focuses on improving performance by dynamically adjusting workload distribution across multiple processing nodes based on real-time system conditions. The method involves analyzing current system metrics such as node availability, processing capacity, and network latency to determine optimal task assignments. It then redistributes tasks to minimize bottlenecks and maximize throughput. The system also includes a monitoring component that continuously evaluates task execution progress and resource utilization, allowing for adaptive adjustments to maintain efficiency. Additionally, the system may incorporate predictive algorithms to anticipate future workload demands and preemptively allocate resources. This approach reduces idle time, enhances parallel processing efficiency, and ensures balanced resource utilization across the distributed network. The solution is particularly useful in large-scale computing environments where dynamic workloads and varying resource availability require intelligent task management to maintain optimal performance.
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May 5, 2020
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